The West Point Band celebrates July 4th at historic Trophy Point Amphitheatre.

West Point, (then Fort Clinton) was a fortified site during the Revolutionary War. Originally picked because of the abnormal S-curve in the Hudson at this point, it was founded by one of the best military engineers of the time, Polish Colonel Tadeusz Ko?ciuszko. It was manned by a small garrison of Continental soldiers through the entirety of the war. A great iron chain was laid across the Hudson at this point in order to impede British Navy vessels, but it was never tested by the British. The site comprised multiple redoubts, including Fort Putnam, which is still preserved in a Revolutionary-period design.

The United States Military Academy was established at West Point in 1802 and has the longest continuous service of any United States military installation and is the nation's oldest military academy.

In 1937 the West Point Bullion Depository was constructed; in 1988 it became the West Point Mint, as a branch of the United States Mint.

Looking across the Hudson at Garrison Landing towards West Point

If you enjoy spectacular parades, the place to go in May is the United States Military Academy at West Point for a series of colorful reviews by the Corps of Cadets. The reviews are open to the public, without charge.

You should confirm review times by calling (845) 938-2638 on the day prior to the parade you plan to attend.

Famous Past WP Attendees

George Armstrong Custer

Class of 1861

Custer secured a nomination to attend West Point, from Representative John A. Bingham, and passed the entrance exams and became a member of the class of 1861. Being the 1966th graduate, he ranked 34th in his class of 34 graduates. Custer was killed on June 25, 1876, while commanding the 7th Cavalry Regiment at the Battle of the Little Big Horn in what is now Montana. He was buried on the battlefield, but exhumed in July 1877 to be reinterred in the Post Cemetery at the West Point Military Academy.

Gen. Ulysses S. Grant (Civil War General, 18th President of the U.S.)

He was appointed to the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1839. By this time, he had been signing his name as "Ulysses H. Grant." Congressman Thomas Hamer, who had been acquainted with the Grant family, mistakenly listed Grant as "Ulysses S. Grant," probably assuminng that his middle name was his mother's maiden name, Simpson. Grant didn't bother to correct the error. Grant was generally an average student, but he excelled in mathematics and horsemanship. He established a record for the high jump on horseback that would stand for 25 years. He attended West Point with many other cadets who would become both Union and Confederate officers during the Civil War. In the 1843, he graduated from West Point 21st in a class of 39. 1864. The bill to restore the rank of lieutenant general became a law. It had been passed with the understanding that Grant would receive the promotion. On March 1, Lincoln submitted Grant's nomination, which was confirmed the following day. On Nov 3, 1868. Grant was elected. He died on July 23, 1885 and is buried at General Grant National Memorial, New York City.

West Point Organizationn

West Point Organization provides information and support services to 30,000 members of the extended West Point community. Some are graduates, some are Army or Navy parents, and some are members of our many service-related lists. wWest Point Org

Cadet Paintball at West Point, A Proud Tradition Since 1984

The Army Paintball team was initiated by Cadet Sean Deller, Class of 1988, in 1984-85. It was first offered to the USMA Tactics Club, but was rejected and eventually adopted as a sub-group of the Military Affairs Club until 1986-87, it had no assigned Officer In Charge, and as a result of this (and by no fault of the cadets), operated largely as a catch-as-catch-can organization, with no financial support except that which could be raised by personal contributions from the cadets. WP Cadet Paintball Club

Experience history while enjoying 18 holes on the green at the West Point Golf Course. This course and driving range is open to the public. With various tournaments occuring throughout the summer, this course is one not to be missed. For tee times and prices visit their website here.

GO ARMY SPORTS

Featuring a range of sports from football, hockey, wrestling, and lacrosse, West Point is the home of Go Army Sports. Come support the Army Black Knights! For scoreboards, schedules/tickets, and apparel check out GoArmySports.com.

WEST POINT MUSEUM

The museum is behind the Visitors Center and is open daily from 10:30 AM - 4:15 PM. It contains one of oldest and largest diversified public collections of military artifacts in the Western Hemisphere.

The museum is one of the departments of the United States Military Academy and supports cadet academic, military and cultural instruction

A pre-concert will begin with the Jazz Knights performing music from the Great American Songbook. The program will feature timeless standards from America’s original art form. The concert band will take the stage following the Jazz Knights’ performance for a program featuring the music of famed American composer John Williams. Staff Sergeant Nathan Turner will play his own arrangement of Chopsticks for tuba and concert band. The concert will conclude with the concert band’s traditional performance of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture featuring fireworks and live cannon fire. Many thanks to the U.S. Army Garrison Military Police Company for the salute battery.

Sixteen cannon shots are written into the score of the 1812 Overture. The piece opens with the plaintive Russian Orthodox Troparion of the Holy Cross “God Preserve Thy People” played by the woodwinds. The overture moves through a mixture of pastoral and military themes portraying the increasing distress of the Russian people at the hands of the invading French under Napoleon. The piece includes a Russian folk dance, "At the Gate, at my Gate."

At the turning point of the invasion, the Battle of Borodino, the score calls for five Russian cannon shots confronting a boastfully repetitive fragment of La Marseillaise, the French National Anthem. A descending woodwind passage represents the subsequent retreat of the French forces, followed by victory bells and a triumphant repetition of “God Preserve Thy People” as Moscow burns to deny winter quarters to the French. A musical chase ensues, out of which emerges the anthem "God Save the Tsar!" thundering with eleven more precisely scored shots. The overture utilizes counterpoint to reinforce the appearance of the leitmotif that represents the Russian forces throughout the song.

Please allow extra travel time for the 100% vehicle and photo I.D. inspection at Stony Lonesome and Thayer gates. Due to changing security requirements at West Point, call the Academy Band's hotline at 845-938-2617, or check www.westpoint.edu/special before leaving for the concert.

For concert information, cancellations and updates, call the Academy Band's 24-hour hotline at (845) 938-2617; or visit us on the Internet at http://www.westpoint.edu/band

S U M M E R S A T W E S T P O I N T

WEST POINT CONCERTS: Every Sunday during the Summer until Labor Day weekend there's a free concert open to the public. Listeners enjoy light classics, opera overtures, John Philip Sousa marches, Broadway hits and movie soundtracks of the Concert Band as well as the Big Band standards given by the Jazz Knights. Bring a picnic and enjoy the live music in a beautiful, historic spot. Stand by for news of this year's schedule.

United States Military Academy Band: The United States Military Academy Band, the U.S. Army’s oldest active band and the oldest unit at West Point, traces its roots to the Revolutionary War. At that time, fifers and drummers were stationed with companies of minutemen on Constitution Island, across the river from West Point. In 1778, General Samuel Holden Parsons’ 1st Connecticut Brigade crossed the Hudson River and established West Point as a permanent military post. After the American Revolution, Congress disbanded most of the Continental Army, but “the 55 men at West Point,” members of the 2nd Continental Artillery, remained. Among their ranks stood at least one drummer and one fifer, who alone maintained the tradition of military music at West Point. US Military Academy Band

Storm King Adventure Tours offers a multitude of activities year round in the Hudson Valley. With agreements with the area's best outdoor recreation sites for full access, support, and special group benefits. They offer snowshoeing in winter, hiking, mountain biking and kayaking in summer. Guided or solo trips can be tailored to your skill level and interests, and each of our licensed guides is an expert in the region. This picturesque upstate village is surrounded by state parks, nature reserves, farms and the river itself, providing the ultimate landscape for your day trip, weekend, or vacation.

Storm King Art Center just outside of West Point is a very special museum that celebrates the relationship between sculpture and nature.

Five hundred acres of landscaped lawns, fields and woodlands provide the site for postwar sculptures by internationally renowned artists. At Storm King, the exhibition space is defined by sky and land. Unencumbered by walls, the subtly created flow of space is punctuated by modern sculpture. The grounds are surrounded by the undulating profiles of the Hudson Highlands, a dramatic panorama integral to the viewing experience. Storm king Art Center

The New Windsor Cantonment is the last encampment made by General Washington's army before the end of the war. In October of 1782, a year after the American victory over the British at Yorktown, Virginia, General George Washington moved his army to New Windsor for the winter. Some 500 women and children (camp-followers) accompanied his 7,000 troops. They transformed 1,600 acres of forests and meadows into a substantial military enclave or “cantonment.” By late December 1782, they had erected nearly 600 log huts.High-ranking officers, including Major General Horatio Gates, the commandant of the Cantonment, and Major General Knox were quartered in nearby private homes.

Washington' s headquarters in the Jonathan Hasbrouck house six miles
away in Newburgh.

Located on the premises at West Point,The Thayer Hotel is an ideal venue for luxury weddings, banquets, corporate meetings, and various other special events in the Hudson Valley. With majestic views, great service, and fine dining, this beautiful venue will undoubtely fulfull the needs of your occasion. Visit www.thethayerhotel.com for more information or to make a reservation.

Wines at West Point!

Believe it or not they have their own wine label.

Celebrate U.S. Military Academy tradition with exquisite wines from the West Point Association of Graduates Wine Program. Now choose from over 15 wines!

All wines available have been chosen for their splendid quality. With stylish labels depicting Thayer Statue, these wines are sure to add class to any occasion. These memorable WPAOG wines are perfect for celebrations, entertaining, and as gifts.

Each purchase supports West Point Association of Graduates alumni and cadet programs. In West Point, NY the wines may be located at the West Point Class 6 store (845-446-3666) and at Wine and Spirits in Highland Falls, NY (845-446-7777), just outside the Thayer Gate.